Christian Villanueva | Third Baseman | #80

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Padres signed 3B Christian Villanueva to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.

The 25-year-old missed the entire 2016 season after undergoing surgery to repair a fractured right fibula, then was non-tendered by the Cubs in early December. He hit .257/.314/.438 with 20 homers and 95 RBI over 129 games between Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa in 2015. Fri, Dec 23, 2016 10:52:00 PM

The move clears a spot for Ryan Kalish on the 40-man roster. Villanueva fractured his right fibula in late February and is expected to miss most, if not all, of the season. Tue, May 3, 2016 03:45:00 PM

Depth Charts

Erick Aybar could be done for the season after being diagnosed with a fractured left foot.

The initial diagnosis was a contusion, but further testing revealed the bad news. It's possible Aybar could make it back as soon as mid-September, but his year might be over. Allen Cordoba and Dusty Coleman will handle shortstop for the Padres moving forward.

He'll see some specialists this week and try to get some answers. Season-ending surgery is a possibility. Dickerson has been on the disabled list since the end of spring training because of a bulging disc.

Friedrich is aiming to be 100 percent healthy at the opening of spring training next February, after being limited to 19 minor league innings in 2017 due to multiple arm problems. The 30-year-old left-hander is a potential non-tender candidate for the Padres this winter.

Weaver opened the season 0-5 with a 7.44 ERA in nine starts before landing on the disabled list in May due to a hip injury that continues to plague him. "While I've been working hard to get back on the mound, my body just will not allow me to compete like I want to," Weaver said in a statement Wednesday. "Many thanks to the Padres organization for the opportunity to play in the amazing city of San Diego. You have been very professional and respectful during this process and I really appreciate that." The 34-year-old right-hander spent 12 seasons in the major leagues between the Angels and Padres, compiling a 150-98 record and 3.63 career ERA. He had three straight top-five finishes in the American League Cy Young Award balloting back in 2010-2012.

Rea was initially aiming to start a throwing program in early March, but the Padres backed him off that plan for precautionary reasons. The right-hander is working his way back from Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery and will miss the entire 2017 season.

Robbie Erlin is throwing bullpens at the Padres' complex in Arizona, but he appears unlikely to pitch in the majors this year after May 2016 Tommy John surgery.

Erlin's original hope was to complete his rehab around the All-Star break, but it hasn't gone that smoothly. Now it looks like he could pitch in games in the instructional league in October and compete for a rotation spot next spring.

That clears a spot on the 40-man roster for left-hander Kyle McGrath. Cosart underwent season-ending elbow surgery earlier this month. He logged a 4.88 ERA over seven outings including six starts this year.

Diaz struck out two and walked one. The rookie right-hander will now move his minor league rehab assignment to High-A Lake Elsinore and he could return to the Padres' active roster next week if everything continues to go smoothly. It's not yet clear whether he will be used as a starter or reliever down the stretch.

Strahm posted a disappointing 5.45 ERA before having season-ending knee surgery earlier this month, but the left-hander has loads of potential. The Padres figure to give him a shot at a rotation spot next season.